<p>The menu systems of The Olympics are controlled entirely via the mouse (or joystick if fitted). As such it is extremely easy and quick to use. In addition it has been written in such a way as to make using it self explanatory. I'll mention a few things before describing how to play each event.</p>
<p>All events can be practiced, competed in individually or played altogether for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. You can also play all 6 events as a sort of "hex- athlon" where points are awarded for each event - the player at the end with the greatest total points is deemed to be the winner.</p>
<p>By pressing the keys Q and F12 together the present option you are on will usually be cancelled. If you are on a menu page you may be returned to the main menu. If you are actually playing an event in competition then you will be disqualified from that event. Remember this, because if you are on the Compete In All Events option then this is the way to miss out an event if you so wish. Also when you get a World Record in competition this can be saved permanently to disc. After you've finished the competition go to the main menu and click on the Save World Records option to do exactly that. It automatically saves all the info including the exact time and date. (Disci should not be write protected). You can of course also view any world records via the main menu option.</p>
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<h4>Controls</h4>
<p>The main 5 keys used to play some events can be redefined. They are presently set at:</p>
<ul>
<li> Z - Left<br>
<li> X - Right<br>
<li> "-Up<br>
<li> / - Down<br>
<li> Return - Fire<br>
</ul>
<p>The number of players option is initially set to 1. This can be changed to 2 - 8 players by clicking on the Number Of Players option.</p>
<li> Page Down Key - Decrease Mouse Sensitivity<br>
</ul>
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<h4>Diving</h4>
<p>Keys:</p>
<ul>
<li> 2 - Tuck more<br>
<li> X - Tuck less<br>
</ul>
<p>The diving consists of 4 dives: Forward, Backward, Reverse and Inwards. Click on the mouse to launch your diver off the board. There are 4 positions of tuck the diver can assume; use key Z to tuck more and Key X to untuck. The keys have to be pressed each time as holding them down will only affect 1 change.</p>
<p>The more tuck a diver has. the faster he will rotate. And the more he rotates, the higher the Difficulty Rating for the dive will be. The diver must enter the water head first, straight and vertical for the highest points and a bad entry will earn the diver very low marks. (Different timing will be required for each of the 4 dive types).</p>
<p>When the dive is complete, each of the judges will give their marks. The screen will now show the Adjusted Score (the sum of the scores with the highest and lowest removed). The final score for the dive is the Adjusted Score times its Difficulty Rating. When more than 1 player is competing then each player takes each type of dive alternately.</p>
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<h4>Shooting</h4>
<p>This event is controlled via the mouse. Move the cross-hair sights over the targets and fire with any mouse button.</p>
<p>It consists of 30 targets being launched in ones or twos against a scoring grid. You get one shot at each target and score according to which section the target was in when it was hit.</p>
<p>There are 2 separate events to compete in: Set Order Shooting and Reaction Shooting. In Set Order the targets are always launched in the same sequence and you may remember the way the next one or two will go. In Reaction Shooting the targets are launched randomly in ones and twos.</p>
<p>Click any button on the mouse to start and from then on click to release each target (or targets), aim with the mouse and click again to fire. After all 30 targets have been fired, click again and the process is repeated for each player.</p>
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<h4>Javelin</h4>
<p>This event is also controlled with the mouse.</p>
<p>Each player has a total of 3 throws. Click any button and you will start to run automatically. When the throwing board appears on the screen, you can throw the javelin. Click on the mouse to do this and the longer you hold it down, the steeper the angle of release for the javelin (i.e. the higher it will go). I'll leave it up to you to find the best angle.</p>
<p>It is best to wait as long as possible before throwing the javelin to increase distance. If you wait too long and your man steps on to the throwing board, the throw is declared a fault.</p>
<p>When the javelin lands, the distance is shown on the screen. Click any button for the next player to take his throw. After you have made all of your throws the distances of all 3 are shown and your best score is calculated. It is this score which counts for points and medals.</p>
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<h4>Swimming</h4>
<p>Keys:</p>
<ul>
<li> Z - Stroke<br>
<li> X - Stroke<br>
<li> Return - Breath<br>
<li> Any Mouse Button - (Also) Breath<br>
<li> P - Pause On/Off<br>
</ul>
<p>There are 12 events to choose from. All players will race against time individually with 3 computer pacers in the selected swimming event.</p>
<p>When selected the screen will show a four lane swimming pool. A yellow arrow shows which lane you are in, the other 3 contain the computer pacers. Click on the mouse to start - you will dive in and remain underwater for a few seconds before you appear. Please note that the skills required in this event are timing and regular rhythm.</p>
<p>Let us consider the Frontcrawl style:</p>
<p>The Z key should be pressed when the following "signals" occur - when your swimmer's left hand enters the water, the panel at the bottom flashes red and you hear a splash noise.</p>
<p>The X key should be pressed when his right hand enters the water, the panel flashes green and you hear a splash noise.</p>
<p>To speed up and maintain speed, you MUST press the keys at the right time. (This may require a lot of practice). If you press a key too soon or too late you will slow down. You turn automatically at the ends of the pool.</p>
<p>In addition you are also required to breath at certain times. When you hear a beep from the computer you must immediately click on the mouse (or press RETURN) to breath. If you don't press it in time you will swallow water, slow down quite dramatically and hear a grunt noise. (I find that it is best to click on the mouse to breath - it seems to disrupt your "swimming rhythm" the least).</p>
<p>Each length is 50 metres and your swimmer will finish automatically when he has done the required distance. An increasing bonus is awarded if you come fourth, third, second, first respectively. (Very useful when your playing under "hex- athlon rules").</p>
<p>It is best to build up a regular rhythm as the signal flashes will then come at regular intervals.</p>
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<h4>Canoeing</h4>
<p>Keys:</p>
<ul>
<li> ' - Paddle forwards<br>
<li> / - Paddle backwards<br>
<li> Z - Rotate anti-clockwise<br>
<li> X - Rotate clockwise<br>
<li> Z + RETURN - Push off with left paddle<br>
<li> X + RETURN - Push off with right paddle<br>
<li> P - Pause On/Off<br>
</ul>
<p>(The keys usually need to be tapped a few times to signify action and initiate movement; as holding them down will only affect 1 movement).</p>
<p>The Push off options above can be very useful in dislodging you from rocks, banks and gates. When trying this you must be very careful that you are tapping the correct keys - it will soon become second nature.</p>
<p>There are 3 courses to choose from: Short, Intermediate and Professional.</p>
<p>These have 5, 10 and 15 gates to negotiate (all in ascending number order) respectively, all against the clock. Each player in turn tackles the selected course.</p>
<p>There are 3 types of gate to negotiate:</p>
<p>Left Marker | Right Marker | Method of Passage Red | Blue | Paddling forwards and moving forwards (i.e. up screen) Yellow | Red | Paddling backwards but moving forwards (i.e. up screen) Blue | Red | Paddling forwards but moving backwards (i.e. down screen)</p>
<p>You incur a fault if you pass a gate more than once (30 seconds), pass it facing the wrong way (30 seconds), pass it going the wrong way (30 seconds) or miss it out (60 seconds).</p>
<p>Once you cross the finish line, the computer will recap all the gates of the course. (You can speed this up by clicking on the mouse when each message appears). The computer will then show a total of each type of.faults and your total time plus faults.</p>
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<h4>Polevault</h4>
<p>This event is controlled with the mouse.</p>
<p>You intially start by choosing your starting height - 4 to 6 metres in 10cm intervals.</p>
<p>(Note the bar can rise above 6 metres but the maximum starting height you can choose is 6 metres).</p>
<p>You are allowed 3 attempts at each height. The bar rises 10cm for your next jump when you are successful. If you fail 3 times at a height then you have to sit it out and see if your best height wins a medal.</p>
<p>Your man starts on the run up track holding the pole. Click on the mouse the start him running automatically. He will gather speed and the bar and landing pad will scroll in from the right. Click again to start the lowering of the pole. The aim is to get the end in the vault box in the landing pad. I will leave it to you to find the best position for each height. (If you do not hit the vault box then the jump is a fault). The pole will bend and he will assume the take-off position. An increasing angle meter will now appear and you click on the mouse again to try and stop it at the desired angle. Again I will let you discover the best angle. Your man now takes off and commences the jump. When the pole reaches vertical he will stop and you have a short time to click again to let go of the pole. The quicker you let go, the better will be the jump. If you do not let go then he will fall aff and knock the bar down.</p>
<p>When more than 1 player is competing then they all initially choose their individual starting heights. The one who chose the lowest height vaults first, the second lowest vaults second etc.. When 2 or more players are vaulting at the same heights then each of their 3 attempts (if needed) are taken alternately. But remember it's the taking part that counts, not the winning. Isn't it? </p>
